World Happiness Report 2025: India’s Ranking and Insights
India ranks 118th in the 2025 World Happiness Report, trailing behind several neighbors like Pakistan and Nepal. The report reflects fluctuations in India’s happiness journey, considering factors such as social support and freedom. While India excels in community bonds, it struggles with perceptions of personal freedom. Finland remains the happiest country, with significant declines observed in rankings for the United States and United Kingdom.
The 2025 World Happiness Report, released on March 20, positions India at 118th out of 147 countries. Compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report reflects India’s ranking relative to neighboring countries, such as Pakistan at 109, Nepal at 92, and China at 68. Sri Lanka is ranked 133, while Bangladesh is at 134. Finland maintains its status as the happiest country globally, followed by Denmark and Iceland.
India’s performance in the World Happiness Report has been variable, with its current rank of 118 being an improvement from its lowest ranking of 144 in 2012, and a peak of 94 in 2022, according to the Hindustan Times. The report evaluates countries based on critical factors impacting happiness, including social support, GDP per capita, health life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Additionally, it examines emotional sentiments across surveyed nations.
A notable aspect of India’s score is its strong performance in social support, driven by its large population, robust community ties, and the tradition of extended families cohabitating. In contrast, India’s weakest area is perceived freedom, indicating that individuals feel limited in their choices and opportunities for a fulfilling life.
Most countries in the highest ranks are from the West, particularly in Europe, though Costa Rica and Mexico have made significant gains, ranking 6th and 10th respectively. The report also highlights a concerning trend for the United States, which has fallen to its lowest position ever at 24th, and the United Kingdom, now at 23rd, the lowest since 2017, attributed to rising feelings of unhappiness and isolation.
The 2025 World Happiness Report highlights India’s fluctuating happiness ranking, currently at 118th, emphasizing the contrast with neighboring countries and the persistent dominance of Western nations in the top slots. Key factors such as social support and perceived freedom play significant roles in shaping individual happiness across various nations. While India excels in community bonds, the challenge remains in fostering a perception of freedom that enhances overall life satisfaction.
Original Source: www.timesnownews.com
